This article demonstrates a formula that allows you to search a data set using any number of conditions, however, one condition per column. The search functionality matches the entire value in a cell, no wildcard matches.

It also demonstrates how to extract the records using the Advanced Filter. The Advanced Filter is a built-in Excel feature that allows you to do more complicated filtering than the regular Filter feature or an Excel Table can accomplish.

The animated image above shows different conditions being used and how the formula instantly returns records that match. It also shows that you can use multiple conditions to narrow down the results. The data is located on worksheet Sheet2.

Formula in cell B8:

This formula requires you to enter it as an array formula if you have an older Excel version than an Excel 365 subscription, the steps to enter an array formula are below.

This formula does not spill values automatically if needed, you have to type the formula in a cell and then press enter. Copy the cell and paste to adjacent cells below and to the right as far as needed.

How to enter an array formula

1. Select cell B8
2. Type the above array formula
3. Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT
4. Press Enter
5. Release all keys

If you got it right, there is now a { before the array formula and a } after the array formula.

How to copy array formula

1. Copy cell B8
2. Paste to C8:E8
3. Copy cell range B8:E8
4. Paste to cell range B9:E19

Explaining the array formula in cell B8

The image above shows the data on worksheet Sheet2, it contains random names, countries and dates.

I recommend the "Evaluate Formula" feature if you want to see the formula calculations in greater detail.

1. Select the cell containing the formula you want to learn.
2. Go to tab "Formulas" on the ribbon.
3. Press with left mouse button on the "Evaluate Formula" button. A dialog box appears.
4. Press with left mouse button on the "Evaluate" button to move to next calculation step.
5. Press with left mouse button on "Close" to dismiss the dialog box.

Step 1 - Count the number of cells in each table column that meet the criteria and add the arrays

The COUNTIF function counts values based on a condition or criteria. There are four COUNTIF functions, as many as there are columns in the data set.

The returning arrays are added together, this means we apply OR logic to the result meaning if any of the values in the same position are one the result is one or more.

COUNTIF($B$4, Sheet2!$A$2:$A$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$C$4, Sheet2!$B$2:$B$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$D$4, Sheet2!$C$2:$C$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$E$4, Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)

becomes

{0;0;1;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0})+{0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0}+{0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0}+{0;0;1;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;1;0;0;0;0;0}

and returns

{0;0;2;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;1;0;0;0;0;0}

This means that row 3 (relative row) matches two conditions. Why is that? 2 is the third value in the array.

Step 2 - Count the number of criteria matching and compare with each value in the array above

The IF function has three arguments, the first one must be a logical expression. If the expression evaluates to TRUE then one thing happens (argument 2) and if FALSE another thing happens (argument 3).

IF(COUNTA($B$4:$E$4)=(COUNTIF($B$4, Sheet2!$A$2:$A$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$C$4, Sheet2!$B$2:$B$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$D$4, Sheet2!$C$2:$C$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$E$4, Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), MATCH(ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21), ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), "")

becomes

IF(2={0;0;2;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;1;0;0;0;0;0}, MATCH(ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21), ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), "")

becomes

IF(2={0;0;2;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;1;0;0;0;0;0}, {1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9;10;11;12;13;14;15;16;17;18;19;20}, "")

becomes

IF({FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE}, {1;2;3;4;5; 6;7;8;9;10; 11;12;13;14; 15;16;17;18;19;20}, "")

and returns

{"";"";3;""; "";"";"";"";""; "";"";"";"";"";""; "";"";"";"";""}

Step 3 - Find the k-th smallest row number

To be able to return a new value in a cell each I use the SMALL function to filter column numbers from smallest to largest.

SMALL(IF(COUNTA($B$4:$E$4)=(COUNTIF($B$4, Sheet2!$A$2:$A$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$C$4, Sheet2!$B$2:$B$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$D$4, Sheet2!$C$2:$C$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$E$4, Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), MATCH(ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21), ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), ""), ROW(A1))

becomes

SMALL({"";"";3;""; "";"";"";"";""; "";"";"";"";"";""; "";"";"";"";""}, ROW(A1))

and returns 3.

Step 4 - Return corresponding value from data table on sheet 2

The INDEX function returns a value based on a cell reference and column/row numbers.

INDEX(Sheet2!$A$2:$D$21, SMALL(IF(COUNTA($B$4:$E$4)=(COUNTIF($B$4, Sheet2!$A$2:$A$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$C$4, Sheet2!$B$2:$B$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$D$4, Sheet2!$C$2:$C$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$E$4, Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), MATCH(ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21), ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), ""), ROW(A1)), COLUMN(A1))

becomes

INDEX(Sheet2!$A$2:$D$21, 3, COLUMN(A1))

becomes

INDEX(Sheet2!$A$2:$D$21, 3, 1)

and returns Keisha.

Step 5 - Check if there are more than 0 (zero) citeria

The COUNTA function counts the non-empty or blank cells in a cell range.

COUNTA($B$4:$E$4)<>0

becomes

2<>0

and returns TRUE

Step 6 - Return value if there are more than zero criteria

IF(COUNTA($B$4:$E$4)<>0, INDEX(Sheet2!$A$2:$D$21, SMALL(IF(COUNTA($B$4:$E$4)=(COUNTIF($B$4, Sheet2!$A$2:$A$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$C$4, Sheet2!$B$2:$B$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$D$4, Sheet2!$C$2:$C$21)+COUNTIF(Sheet1!$E$4, Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), MATCH(ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21), ROW(Sheet2!$D$2:$D$21)), ""), ROW(A1)), COLUMN(A1)), "")

becomes

IF(TRUE, "Keisha", "")

and returns "Keisha" in cell B8.

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Lookup with an unknown number of criteria [Advanced Filter]

The image above shows the filtered data in-place using a condition on row 3. It uses Excel's built-in feature named Advanced Filter.

There are no formulas in this example. I made room for conditions above the data list. I copied the header names to a row above the data.

Here is how to set it up.

1. Go to tab "Data" on the ribbon.
2. Press with left mouse button on the "Advanced" button. A dialog box appears.
   
3. You can filter the list in-place or copy to another location. I chose to filter in-place.
4. The list range lets you select the data you want to filter.
   Note, select the column header names as well.
5. Select your criteria in "The Criteria range:". Don't forget to include your column header names.
6. Press with left mouse button on OK button.

The image above shows the filtered list, the colored row numbers indicate that the list is filtered. Press with left mouse button on the "Clear" button on the ribbon to delete the filter, all data will be visible again.

I recommend you check out the Advanced Filter category if this feature is interesting for you.

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Excel Table and slicers

The image above shows the data set converted to an Excel Table and four slicers above the Excel Table. Slicers were introduced in Excel version 2010.

They allow you to quickly filter data by press with left mouse button oning on values in the slicer. You can only use slicers with Excel Tables and Pivot Tables, however, both Excel Tables and Slicers are really easy to create. Let us begin creating an Excel Table.

How to convert a data set to an Excel Table

1. Select any cell in the data set.
2. Press CTRL + T to open the "Create Table" dialog box. See image above.
3. Enable checkbox "My Table has headers" if true.
4. Press with left mouse button on OK button.

How to create Slicers

1. Select any cell in the Excel Table. A new tab named "Table Design" appears on the ribbon.
2. Go to tab "Table Design" on the ribbon.
3. Press with left mouse button on "Insert Slicers" button. A dialog box appears, see image above. Press with left mouse button on checkboxes to insert a slice for each, the names next to checkboxes are column header names.
4. Press with left mouse button on OK button.
5. Excel inserts a slicer for each selected checkbox.
   
6. Move and resize each slicer.

How to select, move and resize slicers

Press with left mouse button on with left mouse button on a slicer you want to select. A selected slicer shows sizing handles. They are white circles that appear on each corner and side.

Press and hold CTRL key and then press with left mouse button on multiple slicers to select them. Selected slicers have sizing handles visible.

To move a slicing handle press and hold on a selected slicer and then drag with mouse to a new location. Release left mouse button to let go.

To resize a slicers press and hold on any sizing handle, then drag with mouse to resize.

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Get the Excel file

Lookup-with-an-unknown-number-of-predetermined-criteria.xlsx

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• Use slicers to filter data (Microsoft)
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